Why artists are essential in this world at this time

​Good Morning!

​I woke to a chill in the air- making me aware that we are on the out swing of summer. I can taste a bit of fall in the air. After getting so much news of this being the hottest summer on record, there is a bit of gratitude for the beginning of the shift. 

Yeah- I know- it is not over yet- there is more heat to come. And in some parts the heat persists.

It is a scary time of the reality of global warming making itself felt in the weather.

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I know I am not alone in worrying about the ramifications of these changes- how will our cultures and the powers that be respond? Can we hope that not only will we slow and stop the engines that drive global warming, but that we will figure out ways to avoid the greed and violence that comes with fear?

It is a tall order. Layers and layers to it. So many aspects to the paradigm shifts that we need. I do not pretend to know all of it or even a fraction. 

That said, I do know that we as artists, have an essential role to play, or many roles to play.

We are the truth tellers, the cultural healers, the heart salve. We are the ones who can speak the deep knowings that have no words. Through music, art, dance and poetry we can draw up what is tender and warm, strong and complex, challenging and paradoxical in each of us and in the greater being of which we are all a part.

There is great wisdom available if we allow ourselves to enter that vulnerable space of not knowing. Face the fear  with  hope, gratitude and caring. 

As artists of all sorts our job is to open ourselves to the unknown and let it whisper through us. We do this by falling in love with the forms and marks, images and sounds as we refine them into full expression. You need only trust what is beautiful, compelling, moving to you and to let yourself revel in it as it comes into fruition. Maybe it is sorrow, maybe it is forgiveness, maybe it is hope, maybe it is inspiration. All of this and more is essential.

We speak from and to the heart of our world, and our world needs us so badly as we turn to face the troubles to come.

So please take good care of yourself. Rest and nourish and lean into the community you love so that you have the energy and focus to do the deep work of creative expression.

***If you would like more accountability and grounding as you create your work, please feel free to come to the co-working session on zoom on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons est.

***If these thoughts are resonant for you and you want to take your art more seriously, but find challenges in doing so, please sign up for an interview exchange. I am pulling together thoughts about programming that will be of greatest service and I would love to hear what is going on for you as I do this. 

***If you resonate with all of this and have considered going to grad school for your creative work, because you really are ready to take it more seriously, but are finding that there is no grad school that really feels right for who you are and what you have to offer- please set up an interview exchange. I am developing an alternative and I really really want to talk to you about it as I pull all the pieces together!

Warmly,
Val
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